Wolbach, NE – The Village of Wolbach has issued an urgent boil water order for all residents after the detection of E. coli bacteria in the water supply during routine testing in August 2024. This advisory is critical for ensuring the safety of drinking water for all individuals in the area.
What You Need to Know
The presence of E. coli bacteria suggests that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste, which can carry harmful pathogens. These pathogens can lead to a range of health issues, including diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, and other symptoms. The risk is particularly high for infants, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
What Should You Do?
Residents are advised not to drink the water without boiling it first. To ensure the water is safe, bring it to a boil for at least one minute, then allow it to cool before use. This applies to all drinking water, ice-making, brushing teeth, washing dishes, and food preparation. Alternatively, residents can use bottled water until further notice. Boiling the water will eliminate bacteria and other organisms, making it safe for consumption.
What Happened and What Is Being Done?
The contamination could have resulted from increased runoff following heavy rains, a break in the water distribution system, or a failure in the water treatment process. The village’s water system is currently undergoing extensive testing to identify and rectify the issue. The water supply will continue to be chlorinated until further notice, and residents will be informed as soon as the water is deemed safe to drink.
The situation is expected to be resolved by September 15, 2024, but until then, residents should follow the boiling guidelines to ensure their safety.
For More Information
Residents seeking additional information can contact the village’s water system operator, Ronald Morearty, at 402-741-1377. General guidelines on reducing the risk of microbial infection are also available from the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or online at epa.gov/safewater.
Please share this notice with anyone who may not have received it directly, including those in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses. You can help by posting this notice publicly or distributing copies by hand or mail.
Stay safe and follow the guidelines to protect your health until the boil water order is lifted.
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